Arch supporter shoe



Nov. 20, 1945. w. GR EBOW 2,389,143

ARCH SUPPORTER SHOE V Filed Sept. 28, 1943 /4 3 'WoL FE 62550 14/.

Patented Nov. 20, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARCH 'SUPBORTER SHOEWolfe Grebow, Baltimore, Md. Applicationseptember 28, 1943, Serial-No.504,141 2 diaims. (.01. 36-85) This invention refers to wearing appareland more particularly to shoes and arch supportin devices in same. Ithas among its objects to provide an arrangement in a shoe that can besuited to meet the irregularities and peculiarities of the individualpedal structure of the user. Another object is to have the shoe with itsarrangements adapted to suit the foot of the user through the use ofadjustments for taking up slack and angularizing the inner sole. Afurther object is to have the shoe so adjusted to the individual footthat the effects of unusual types of walking and Wear may be overcome. Astill further object is to make the shoe comfortable to the foot of theuser and increase the support to the foot Where he is subject to brokenarches, fiat feet and similar characteristics.

In this invention, the purpose is to coordinate in each single shoe allthe necessary means required to produce an effective support for thefoot, employing internal and external structures that will effect thedesired result. It consists of a peculiar form of sole enlarged at thesides to encompass the lower portion of the foot and loose enough topermit a hinge-like movement This sole is supported by an adjustablestrap positioned across the bottom from the heel to the middle of theshoe at the side. The position is made variable to a reasonable extentto permit adaption to the variables in the foot, by the shoe strap. Theheel of the shoe is preferably extended at the inner portion to form acorner, over which the foot may exert pressure where its reactions willbe resisted and reduce the bending of the shoe at the point.

In conjunction with the description herein appended, a drawing isprovided indicating a structure of a shoe embodying this invention asillustrated, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective with a shoe embodying this invention,parts being broken away to indicate the internal construction;

Figure 2 is a detail of an innersole and bolster portion used in Figure1, with strap, in plan view;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken along 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the strap alone.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout thedrawing.

In the drawing l I represents the upper of a shoe; 12 the sole; and I3the heel. The heel is provided with rounded extended corners M which areadvanced about one-fourth of the conventional length of the heel. Thismakes it project under the instep portion of the sole and take up anyunusual pressure exerted off-balance on the side of the shoe, where sameis placed. The inner sole l 5 is mainly ofconventional form to fit alongthe bottom of the shoe, but at the .side i6 is formed or sewed, abolster l8 of quasi-elliptical shape, so as to reach up above the soleagainst the side of the foot of the user. The side portion where thebolster is, is hinged loose, as indicated at 24 and may be adjusted tovarious angular heights away from the side and bottom of the shoe. Thisis arranged for by the use of a strap I! attached to the side wall ofthe shoe at 25 and passing slightly diagonally across between the innersole l5 and the bolster l8. It is riveted at l9 over the middle portionof the sole so as to have the lifting effect of the strap extend fromthat location to the side of the shoe. The strap has an adjustablebuckle 20 that enables the former to be tightened or loosened, so as toadjust the height and angle of the bolster to suit the conditionsrequired by the user. The fastener end of the strap is securable to thevarious buttons 25 on the side of the shoe, to permit a variable angularplacement of the strap across the shoe between the inner sole andbolster. The strap is preferably of canvas so it will support the innersole above it, when it is brought tightly up to create a tensionunderneath it. The strap is about one inch wide doubled and extended intwo directions at the sole to spread the pressure adequately under theinner sole and prevent it from hunting the foot of the user. Theflexibility of the canvas relieves the inner sole of any rigid pressureon the foot to tire and hurt it.

The user of the shoe tightens up the strap of the buckle 20 until itbrings the inner sole and bolster against the bottom arch and side ofthe specific foot. This suspends his foot at a, slight angle and.apportions the pressure uniformly under it, to suit its needs. Anyexisting twist in the foot, as the strap indicates, is accommodated. Thepressure of the foot is transmitted to the opposite side of the shoe andis provided for by the extended corner of the heel, so its wear isdistributed over a larger surface. The angle of the strap is adjustedover suiiicient range by the use of any one of the buttons 25 to suit,and allows the user to adjust the bolster and inner sole to suit hisspecific peculiarities. The inner sole of the shoe is sewed to the soleof the shoe to prevent its displacement, and still not interfere withthe adjusting actions of the same in coordination with the strap. Shouldthe strap become lengthened due to wear, its buckle 20 is opened upand 1. In combination with a shoe, a bolster attached to the inner soleof the shoe and extending from one side thereof up angularly along theinternal surface of the side wall of the shoe, inside of the shoe, a,strap attached to said wall, and means on the strap within the shoe foradjusting. its length tochange the angular position of the bolster inthe shoe, and a heel on the shoe formed with an enlarged cornerprojection disposed on the side of the shoe opposite to that at whichthe strap is attached, to the wall of the shoe arranged in position tocoordinate with the adjustment of the strap to support the foot of theuser in a predetermined position in the shoe.

2. In combination with a conventional shoe structure an orthopedic unitcomprising an inner sole mounted in the shoe, a bolster member ofquasi-elliptical shape formed so as to reach up from the said memberabove the inner sole and against the internal surface of the side wallof the shoe so as to embrace and support the side of the foot of a userof the shoe and unit, a strap securely attached to the inside surface ofthe wall of the shoe, buckle means combined with the strap and to theinner sole near the central portion thereof for permitting theadjustment of same within the shoe, said strap being plurally attachedto the inner sole with portions of the strap spread apart to provide awidened support for the said member over the inner sole, said unit beingadapted to support the foot of the user in the shoe to suit the comfortand requirements of the latter.

WOLFE GREBOW.

